Darby’s Brewery Round Copper

Darby's Brewery copper tray dating from the 1920s.

The Bush Inn & The Dunkirk Inn

The business was founded in 1894 by George Darby at the Bush Inn in Greets Green, West Bromwich, where he brewed beer.
Charles Darby took over the running of the Bush Inn from his father, George, in 1895.
In 1900 he purchased Dunkirk Hall, where he established the Dunkirk Inn.
The Dunkirk Brewery was built behind the Dunkirk Inn in 1902.
In 1915 Charles's son, George, joined the business before fighting in the First World War.
When George returned in 1919, Darby's owned 30 public houses.

Post World War I Expansion

The firm was registered as Darby's Brewery Ltd in 1923.
The Company expanded during the 1920s and 1930s when it acquired local competitor, Arnold & Bates Ltd, with its Dartmouth Park Brewery and 17 public houses, in 1928, and J F C Jackson Ltd of Dudley, with its Diamond Brewery and 15 public houses, in 1937.
Darby's Brewery Ltd continued to make good profits becoming the largest brewer in West Bromwich.
Charles died in 1949, and despite the fact the firm was very successful, extortionate death duties forced his sons to sell the business.

M&B Takeover and Closure

The Company, with over 100 public houses, was acquired by Mitchells & Butlers Ltd in 1951.
The Dunkirk Brewery closed in 1952, and the site was eventually demolished and reveloped for residential use in 1968.
At first, M&B brewed Darby's Pale Ale at its Cape Hill Brewery but it tasted differently and was soon discontinued.
The Dunkirk Inn continued trading until 1977, when it was sold and demolished.
The Bush prospered until the 1980s, when it was renamed 'Darby's', but that too closed in 2000, and was converted into a community centre and flats in 2002.